DCE GETS AN OVERWHELMING ENDORSEMENT OF FIFTY FIVE OUT OF SIXTY

Following the dismissal of the former Chief Executive Sulley Zakari by the president Professor J E A Mills after an incessant campaign by the youth of the area to get him sacked for non performance earlier this year.

Mr. Adam Banablesera Yussif the newly appointed District Chief Executive got an overwhelming endorsement of fifty five out of sixty from the members of the assembly.
Mr. Adam Yussif also called Mandela is an active member with respect to party activities in the district and also doubles as the acting chairman of the Mamprugu Youth Association (MAYA) until his new appointment.

The Regional Minister was handed an over sight responsibility of administering the district during the absence of the DCE.
A report from the district has it that the new administrator of the district is yet to report but officials at the assembly have acknowledged receipt of the letter confirming the new appointment.

He told news men that he will work assiduously to consolidate the gains made in the district.
Walewale.com is closely monitoring the latest from the district and will duly update readers.

WALEWALE COMPUTER LAB TRAIN 76 TEACHERS ON COMPUTER USE

The Walewale Computer Lab has started its second phase of Technology Education by providing training to 76 teachers. The funding for the workshop is sponsored by TENI (Tackling Educational Needs Inclusively) and headed by Ms Elaine Harrison, V.S.O (Voluntary Service Overseas) Teacher Support Officer, at the Ghana Education Service in Walewale. The purpose of this workshop is to provide some basic knowledge on computer use to teachers and also teach them on how to search for information on the internet using search engines.
It started on the 1^st of August this year and the teachers are great to teach, since most of them are getting this opportunity for the first time.

Instructor and Manager of the Walewale Computer Lab Mashood I Mahama took the teachers through “Introduction to computer” as the first step in preparing the teachers. Each lesson is schedule to last for one hour in each session.

It is interest to find out the questions the teachers ask.

“Who made the computer?”, “How did he get the idea?”, “Which operating system is the best?” and the like.

Indeed the Walewale Computer Lab is really promoting Technology Education in West Mamprusi District.

It is interest to find out the questions the teachers ask.

“Who made the computer?”, “How did he get the idea?”, “Which operating system is the best?” and the like.

Indeed the Walewale Computer Lab is really promoting Technology Education in West Mamprusi District.

ENSKINMENT OF "TUMSUMA NAABA"

To show appreciation to the US Peace Corps Volunteer Mr. Jacob M. Marder for his tremendous contribution to Technology Education and providing Internet facility for the Walewale community and the District as a whole, the chief of Walewale "Dudana Mutari" and his council of elders honored him with a chieftainship title as "TUMSUMA NAABA" meaning chief of development.

The ceremony took place at the chief Palace with massive turn out from community members to grace the occasion. Among them were Pastor Jonathan Baniyiri founder of ELIM-GHANA, Mr. C.B Mejida assistant director of the Ghana education service and many others on the 6th of July,2011.

The chief thanked Mr. Jacob M. Marder for the development he has brought to the community and also for that of Gbimsi a sub-village in Walewale. He added that even though Mr. Jacob was returning to the United States, he will always be part of his council of elders as "TUMSUMA NAABA" and his place can never be replace by any other.

The ceremony became so much alive as the traditional dances like the Takai, Damba, and many others were displayed on the grounds.

As tradition demands in the Mamprugu kingdom, the new chief is escorted to his home by the elders, drummers and other dignities in the ceremony. This is an historic even in the entire district, as Mr. Jacob M. Marder is the first white man to be enskin as a chief in the West Mamprusi District.

As the saying goes to all chiefs, long live the chief and may he live to bring more development to our beloved district.

Grand Opening

The Walewale Computer Lab was commissioned on Wednesday, June 1, 2011. The event was presided over by the chief of Walewale, the Durana, and held at the Catholic Jubilee Hall. The theme was “promoting technology education in the 21^st century in the West Mamprusi District.” The session was chaired by Alhaji Mohammed Haroon, District Director of the Ghana Education Service. Mr. Abubakari Abdulai of the nongovernmental organization ActionAid was the keynote speaker. Mr. Issah Sadat, Internal Audit Officer for the West Mamprusi District Assembly represented the District Chief Executive and spoke on behalf of local government. Remarks were also made by project organizers Jacob Marder and Mashood Mahama. Prayers were offered by Mallam Abdulai (Islamic) and Pastor Eddi (Christian). The Durana also briefly addressed the audience and reflected on the development he has witnessed during his period as overlord of the community. Prominent community members in attendance included Issah Abdulai (former Presiding Member of the West Mamprusi District Assembly), the Naakosi-Naa (butcher's chief), and various heads of junior high schools in Walewale. There were almost fifty guests at the ceremony.

Following the ceremony all guests immediately made their way in a motor vehicle and motorcycle convoy to the project site. Peace Corps Volunteer Jacob Marder held the ribbon as the Durana performed his ribbon cutting duties and inaugurated the building. Mallam Abdulai immediately offered a prayer for the facility’s sustainability. The chief’s entourage, followed by invited guests and many interested community members entered the facility for the first time. It was the Durana’s first time to see computers with his own eyes! Project organizer Mashood Mahama assisted the overlord with a brief Internet browsing experience. Complimentary internet and email creation service for the entire community were provided for the remainder of the afternoon.

Pictures of the opening day can be found here.

Memorable quotes from the inauguration ceremony include:

We are here today not only inaugurating a computer lab in Walewale, but more significantly we are celebrating the birth of Walewale, and for that matter Mamprugu, on the global map.

It is said that in the twenty-first century literacy is not defined as only the ability to read and write, but also encompasses the ability to use a computer.

-Mr. Abubakari Abdulai, ActionAid

You might be asking whether I am campaigning. My answer is YES. I am campaigning for technology education in this district. ICT has now been integrated into the junior high school syllabus, yet schools have neither electricity nor a single computer. What are we doing as members of this community to help the Ghana Education Service? Or, as usual, are we simply waiting on government to provide.

The motto of the Walewale Computer Lab Project is ‘’connecting Mamprugu to the world,’’ and indeed with togetherness, like the Americans say, ‘’yes we can’’!

-Mr. Mashood Mahama, Project Organizer

Information technology is developing rapidly, and for successful socioeconomic development, modern technology must be incorporated into as many facets of daily life as possible.

No country, including my own, developed overnight or without difficulty. For those interested in aiding in the development of this community, do not forget the necessity of perseverance in making your goals a reality.

-Mr. Jacob Marder, United States Peace Corps

460 SCHOOLS RECEIVES CLASSROOM FURNITURE

The district director of Education Alhaji Mohammed Haroon has distributed one thousand classroom furniture to schools in the West Mamprusi district the schools will include 80 KG’s, 250 Primary schools and 130 Junior High Schools.

In a speech delivered to heads of schools at this year’s 54^th Anniversary, the director promise to provide more furniture if the new ones are properly care for. He however, added that, the exercise was to encourage teaching and learning in schools and therefore told teachers to be up and doing in other to raise the pass mark of students to a better standard.

The headmaster of R/C Junior High School Mr. Joseph Kwara thanked the Director on behalf of his colleagues for such a move and promised they will handle the furniture with good hands.

WALEWALE PEOPLE DEMONSTRATE AGAINST DCE - OTHER FACTS GHANAIANS SHOULD KNOW

I will be extremely glad if you could kindly offer some space in your widely circulated and a highly respected newspaper to voice out my views on this contemporary issue that has the potential of affecting the general development in my district.

It is very inspiring that 2011 has been declared an action year by his Excellency President Professor Atta Mills, to meet the developmental needs and aspirations of the good people of Ghana. Such a call demand leaders both political and non political manning the affairs in the country to be visionary, transformational and development oriented. It is against this background that the writer wants to do a critical analysis of the demonstration recently held on the 5^th January, 2011 at Walewale, the district capital for West Mamprusi District, calling for the removal of the DCE Honorable Lord Sulley Zakari from office.

During that poorly attended demonstration, a petition dated 28^th November, 2010 was presented to the District Coordinating Director calling for the immediate removal of the DCE from office. That petition was made up of 12 unsubstantiated allegations against the DCE and was signed by 12 people including some constituency executive members of the ruling party some of who competed against him for the post earlier on and lost to him. They therefore vow not to allow him succeed. Otherwise, among all the issues raised on their petition, non question the capacity of the man to deliver development projects to meet the needs and aspirations of the people in the district. Those championing that course knew very well that the primary responsibility of a DCE is to help initiate and implement development projects to meet the needs of his/her people. As for the person ability to offer sweet talks to people, award contracts to party members, having or not having management and mobilization skills, they are secondary matters.

However, checks at the West Mamprusi District Assembly as well as the official website of the assembly (www.west mamprusi.gov.gh) revealed that since the assumption of office of the DCE from 2009 to date, the district has witnessed very massive development of infrastructure in areas of education, health, roads, water and sanitation among others through the hard work of the DCE.

In the field of education, the following success has been chalked by the DCE. Namely, the establishment of Wulugu Orphanage, the construction of a new District Library at Walewale, the construction of six classroom block for Wulugu Zaami Primary School, the construction of six classroom block for Gbimsi R/C primary school, the construction of six classroom block for Manga primary school at Manga as well as the construction of three classroom blocks with offices to replace those school under threes at Taantala, Janga, Wuyima, Kubagna, Nabuligu, Kata-Banawa and Yirangu. The construction of food vendors Shops at Walewale and Wulugu Senior High Schools to mention but a few.

In health sector, two medical doctors are now in the district, one incharge of the district hospital at Walewale and the other incharge of the district health administration. Formerly, there use to be one doctor handling both schedules. Additional projects include the provision of solar lamp lighting system for all the CHPS Compounds throughout the district, supply of a standby generator for Walewale District Hospital as well as the construction of Nurses Quarters at Wulugu.

In terms of roads, the following feeder roads in the district have been re-graveled duribg the last two years under his (the DCE) watch; Namely, Wulugu – Kpasenkpe, Zangum – Nabari, Gbani – Kparigu, Walewale - Bug’ya – Guokudoo, Wungu – Zangu – Yakura, Kubore – Zangwara, Walewale Market – Fongni, Walewale – Zangum among others.

In the area of judiciary, the DCE championed the construction of a new District Court House at Walewale, which has been completed and is stocked with computers and their accessories to facilitate the work of that organ of government in the district.

I therefore challenge the organizers of that demonstration to dispute with evidence whether the above-mentioned projects have not been implemented by the DCE since his assumption of office. It is a fact that, these projects in the districts would meet the needs of not only the present generation, but also the future generations yet to come. I would therefore urge the constituency executives of the party in the district to do away with their parochial and selfish interests and rather help the DCE to implement the better Ghana agenda in the district. I would also plead with the president His Excellency, Prof JEA Mills to disregard those demonstrations organized by few people in the district and allow the DCE to continue with his Good works to move the West Mamprusi District to another height.

Signed by,

Yours faithfully,

Mr. Bariham Iddrisu,

0208926778.

54TH INDEPENDENCE PARADE HELD ON SUNDAY 6TH MARCH 2011 AT WALEWALE

SPEECH BY THE DISTRICT CHIEF EXECUTIVE, HON. SULLEY ABUDU ZAKARIA

Hon. Assembly Members Elect,District Director of Education, Heads of Departments, Heads of Security Agencies, Mba Wungnaba and Elders, Teachers and School Children, Civil Society Organisations, Political Parties, The Press, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Today marks yet another celebration of our independence Day from the British Colonial rule in 1957. Indeed, Ghana is 54 years old today as a sovereign and independent state. This is a remarkable or worthy achievement.

This year’s celebration is under the theme “DISCIPLINE AND HARD WORK, ESSENTIAL PREREQUISITE FOR A BETTER GHANA”. The ideals set forth by our founding fathers through the independence struggle was largely as a result of discipline and hard work. All nations of the world over have grown and developed in strength, influence and prosperity through hard work and sacrifice of their citizens. We as Ghanaian s must therefore abhor laziness and remain focused in our approach to national issues so that we will help Government achieve its vision of Better Ghana.

Ladies and Gentlemen, our nation needs disciplined, hardworking and talented people to remain competitive in this highly globalized and technological world. It takes tremendous discipline to control the influence and power that one has over other peoples lives. Often, we find ourselves in a bad situation and often, you feel like giving up. It is at such times that you need to energize yourself with inspirational thoughts. Harry E. Fosdick said “No horse gets anywhere until he is harnessed and no life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated and disciplined”.

I am delighted to state that today is a memorable moment and an ideal opportunity for us as Ghanaian s to take stock of the journey we have traveled over the last 54 years and to reflect on the road ahead.

We should not be content with our achievements so far but rather be concerned with what the future has for us. In today’s world, social, economic and political development relies heavily on discipline and hard work which can propel our people especially the youth to competitive careers.

Ladies and Gentlemen, on its part, Government is committed to ensuring that Ghanaian s, especially the youth have access to globally competitive quality education and training. The aim of the NDC Government is to give every young Ghanaian a fair chance of life by equipping them with knowledge and skills that will enable them secure decent livelihoods in an increasingly competitive global environment. As part of this commitment, Government continues to allocate the education sector the largest share of national budget. The large allocation is intended to allow for implementation of priority projects and programmes that will facilitate overall national development as well as enhance individual well being. These projects and programmes include the distribution of free exercise books and uniforms, increase in the capitation grant, continuation and expansion of the School Feeding Programme, eradication of schools under trees, rapid infrastructural development in Senior High Schools, and many others in the sector across the country. These efforts of the Government are not enough on their own. Success will only come out of discipline and hard work by Pupils, Students, Teachers, Supervisors, Board of Governors, Directors and indeed all and sundry. We all need to work closely in providing guidance to our young ones so that they grow up as a generation of educated and responsible people who are disciplined and hardworking. To you the future leaders, I appeal to you to avoid drugs, substance abuse, alcohol, promiscuity and other social evils.

Ladies and Gentlemen, let me touch on a subject of concern to Government which is the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS). Government has taken note of the difficulties that arose out of the implementation for Ghana Education Service staff. All efforts are being put in place to address these problems. Let me humbly use his platform especially in the context of the theme for the celebration to appeal to our dear and colleague teachers to exercise patience and avoid abandoning teaching. Together, we shall overcome through the hard work that you have displayed over the years.

Indeed, we just saw the presentation of prizes to teachers who worked hard and were awarded by the Best Teacher Awards Committee in the District. On behalf of the Chiefs and People of the District, I extend special commendation to them for their dedicated service and hard work. There is no doubt that it will have a positive impact on their work. I wish to urge those who did not win to also work hard so that they can also win awards in the future. The Assembly will continue to support this noble exercise.

Let me inform you especially our religious bodies that as part of the celebration, there will be national thanksgiving from the 11^th to 13^th March, 2011. On the 11^th March 2011, our Moslem Brothers and Sisters are to offer prayers for the nation. Saturday 12^th March and Sunday 13^th March, 2011 will be the turn of our Christian Brothers and Sisters to do same. I call on the leadership of these groups to support this exercise.

Whiles I wish you all a happy 54^th Independence Anniversary Celebration, I wish to state that there is no life without difficulties. We must appreciate these difficulties, sort out our differences in a transparent and cordial manner without rancor and acrimony so that we can build the Better Ghana that we all desire.

Thank you and God Bless you All.

Christmas Songs - We Wish You a Merry Christmas Lyrics

CAMBODIA ARRIVES HOME TONIGHT

The Director of Education for the West Mamprusi District will be arriving in Ghana tonight at about 9:30pm with the British airline . The Director has been in abroad for three months to study, and will finally be landing at the Kotoka International Airport tonight.

Talking to some officers and teachers about what they expect of his home coming, this what they got to say.

"Alhaji is a man we believe will help improve the educational discipline of teachers, students and even we at the office. This is because, the man lead by example. He respect time a lot and have no believe for what is known as "Ghanaian Time", and does why I called him a man of example. I remember very well that the first time I met him was at a meeting in Tamale, and I tell you what, he was there even before the organizers, so if you happen to find such a man in your district, then it means improvement in everything".

Mr. Mahama Yahaya
G.E.S Walewale

"For me I believe his coming home will help in gaining more idea about simple methods of teaching and learning, because I believe he has acquired more experience in the UK educational curriculum and would like to implement them here in Ghana and Walewale for that matter to see some changes in our schools.

Mr Thomas Mejida
Gbimsi R/C J.H.S

CAMBODIA'S VISIT TO WORTHING

As part of the District Director of Education for the West Mamprusi visit to England, he visited Madame Janet, her husband and her school in Worthing on 12th November. Madam Janet was once a volunteer at the District Education Service in Ghana-Walewale, which she served under the leadership of Alhaji Mohammed Haroon now in England. He went with Michael Stark and some officers from the Department of Education in England, to present the school with an Investors in People Gold Award.

Cambodia & some staffs

He was given a chance to address the whole staff and pupils of Broadwater C E School, of which Madame Janet is the Principal. He was also taken around the school as well as the town, Peter and Janet also took him to an old town called Arundel with a Castle and a Cathedral.





The Director also had an English Cream Tea in a quaint coffee shop where he enjoyed his first Cream Tea!"


According to the Director, it is nice meeting people you have leaved with in another land and therefore promised to deliver all experiences gain from the trip into the Ghana educational Service most specially Walewale.

Cambodia & Janet Sharp

Meanwhile, the Director will be visiting the Cashman's on Wednesday

C.I.C I.C.T CLUB JOINS FACEBOOK

The Walewale Community Information Centre I.C.T Club has joint facebook to link its members to other clubs globally. The patron of the Club, Mr. Mahama I Mashood, in a speech to students of the Nazoori Junior High School in Walewale, stated that this will develop more passion for students to learn how to use internet in finding friends and other educational websites.

He added again that, the C.I.C will be introducing an I.C.T quiz competition for schools in the Walewale, and encouraged I.C.T teachers to give the C.I.C a helping hand when the time comes.

CAMBODIA ARRIVES IN LONDON

The District Director of Education for the west Mamprusi District Alhaji Mohammed Haroon arrived in London with a very warm welcome from the Cashman family.

Alhaji Mohammed Haroon popularly known as Cambodia, will be staying for 3 good months. Being new at the place, the Cashman family decided taking him round to see how London looks like. So Oxford was the place to go since it has one of the most recognized university in the world of which one of the Cashman's is attending. So they went on a two hours drive on bus heading to Oxford.

In arriving at Oxford, Dan Cashman who studies at the university welcomed both the Director and his family and took them to some of the most beautiful places in the campus and around the town.

CAMBODIA AND DAN CASHMAN

CHARLOTTE CASHMAN & CAMBODIA

CAMBODIA & MIKE CASHMAN


CAMBODIA, THE CASHMAN FAMILY & A FRIEND

Facebook founder times big schools gift with unflattering movie release

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg--who placed as the 35th richest person on the just-released Forbes 400 list-- is giving troubled schools in Newark, N.J., an enormous $100 million gift on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on Friday. As it happens, that's the same day an unflattering and much-buzzed-about movie premieres in which he's portrayed as a power-hungry and socially awkward genius.

"The Social Network" premieres Friday at the New York Film Festival, and is already being compared to "Citizen Kane" and "The Godfather," two iconic portraits of powerful men felled by their own ambition.

[Facebook execs' efforts against upcoming movie]

The 26-year-old hasn't engaged in much high-profile philanthropy so far -- unlike fellow tech billionaire and education reformer Bill Gates -- which makes his Oprah appearance and $100 million gift more notable. Zuckerberg will announce the donation alongside Newark Mayor Cory Booker and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, according to the New York Times' scoop. The money represents an eighth of the city's total education budget. Zuckerberg's net worth skyrocketed by 245 percent in the past year as Facebook's market valuation topped $23 billion.

[Status update: 7 surprising secrets about Zuckerberg]

Zuckerberg, described as a "wary and private" person in a recent New Yorker profile, has been forced to tear down some of the barriers between his life and the public. This new plunge into civic-minded activity seems designed in part to fend off bad publicity generated by the film and accusations that as a student, he hacked into private emails and stole the original idea for the site from fellow students. The movie is loosely based on an equally unflattering book by Ben Mezrich, who used a burned former Facebook investor (and former Harvard colleague of Zuckerberg) as his primary source.

[Photos: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg]

According to the movie, Zuckerberg created the site to get admitted to exclusive parties and to meet girls. (Rebecca O'Brien has a more nuanced take on Zuckerberg's college years here.)

[Is "The Social Network" a hatchet job?]

"I think a lot people will look at that stuff, you know, when I was 19, and say, 'Oh, well, he was like that. ... He must still be like that, right?" Zuckerberg told the New Yorker. He added that he does not plan to see the movie, though he was spotted by at least two people at a Seattle screening Wednesday.

Whatever the motive for the gift, the money will translate into big changes for Newark schools. Under the terms of Zuckerberg's donation, Christie will give the reform-minded mayor more control over schools. There's speculation he may hire hard-charging D.C. Chancellor Michelle Rhee to head up schools now that Rhee's prime supporter, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, has been voted out of office. Meanwhile, the nation's education reformers -- who emphasize teacher evaluations tied to student test scores and independent charter schools -- are sure to welcome another billionaire recruit to their cause.

Prostitution at Children’s Home

In his recent appearance before the 11-member Committee set up by the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare on the cases of abuse, neglect and deaths which he recently uncovered in the Osu Children’s Home, The New Crusading GUIDE’s ace investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas brought forth new revelations which were not captured in his 90-minute investigative television documentary that was aired publicly.

Anas, who appeared before the committee with his face covered (for security reasons), pointed out that a Guest House at the Home serves as a prostitution joint for members of the public who bring in prostitutes for sex, a situation which does not augur well for the upbringing of the children. “People openly bring prostitutes into the Guest house and in the morning after sleeping with them, they hold them in their skimpy dresses and pass in front of the children. As a result of this, the children have on many occasions found condoms around the Home, which normally come from the Guest House”, Anas stated. He mentioned other cases of staff apartments being rented out to members of the public; teenage girls of the Home being picked at night by their boyfriends on a regular basis. The undercover reporter went ahead to tell the Committee that he and his hidden cameras are still within the walls of the Osu Children’s Home and things have not changed in any significant way. “As I speak, I am still in the Osu Children’s Home, and I am sorry to say that things have not changed in any way. Akuamoah is still beating the children and the same caregivers caught abusing the children are still there, making frantic efforts to indoctrinate the children into not speaking the truth as revealed in the documentary. Some of the children are complying, but many others would be willing to talk provided it was done in an atmosphere of genuine love and trust”, he told the Committee. On the cases presented in the 90-minute documentary, Anas told the Chairman and members of the Committee that he had since been contacted by many volunteers who had worked within the Osu Children’s Home over the years as well as some individuals who had witnessed the reported cases firsthand and were willing to appear before the committee to share their experiences. “Most of them want to testify without any risk of being victimized or losing their connection with the children within the Home”, he said. Anas also promised to provide the Committee with the identities of some individuals who live within the Osu Children’s Home and are willing to testify before the committee provided they are assured of the needed confidentiality. Also, a group of volunteers who have served within the Osu Children’s Home over the years have created a platform on the social networking site, FACEBOOK to share their experiences at the Home and garner support towards improved conditions at the Home. Created under the name, “Help Change Barbaric Conditions at Osu Children’s Home”, this platform currently has some 432 members who have joined the cause to call for an improvement in the standard of living for children in the Osu Children’s Home. Among these volunteers, many people have shared harrowing experiences they witnessed at the Home and many more have expressed their willingness to help the committee when called upon. They have also posted videos and pictures on the website, which they took while volunteering in the Home. Currently, some of the volunteers residing in Ghana have expressed their readiness to appear before the committee. They have also called for the Committee’s intervention on the current situation where most volunteers are being victimized by authorities of the Home and being accused of leaking information of abuse at the Home to Anas Aremeyaw Anas. They have noted that as a result of this, all volunteers have been asked not to step foot at the Home again, denying them an opportunity to share their time and gifts with the children; the reason for which they came to Ghana. “It is a waste of time. If I knew I would pay my airfare to come and help children in the Home, only to be denied access, I would have gone to Kenya or to Ethiopia to serve the children there”, said one of the volunteers under anonymity. On his part, Antwi-Boasiako Sekyere, Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Welfare who doubles as chairman of the Committee, stated the Committee’s commitment to ensure that the whole process was conducted in a very fair and transparent manner. “I want to assure you that we would welcome anybody who has anything to add on this matter and promise them the needed confidentiality”. The chairman also called on the general public and stakeholders to submit recommendations aimed at assisting in caring and protecting children from harm at such orphanages to promote their normal growth and development into responsible adulthood. He said the Committee would hold two public hearings on Thursday, September 23 and Thursday, September 30 at the Media centre at the Accra Sports stadium. Meanwhile, The New Crusading GUIDE has filed a petition to the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) through its legal counsel, Ken Attafuah Law Place. The petition, filed on behalf of the newspaper and the scores of children in the Osu Children’s Home as well as the Remand Home, requested CHRAJ to “investigate its allegations of violations of the fundamental rights of children, abuse of power and corruption at the Osu Children’s Home and the Osu Remand Home, both in Accra”.

See Below For The Full Petition Sent On Behalf Of The New Crusading GUIDE By Ken Attafuah Law Place Legal Practitioners, Kesewaa Chambers
September 14, 2010
THE COMMISSIONER COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS & ADMINISTRATIVE JUSTICE (CHRAJ) CHRAJ HEADQUARTERS HIGH STREET ACCRA
Dear Sir,
COMPLAINT OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AT OSU CHILDREN’S HOME AND OSU REMAND HOME
We act as counsel for and on behalf of The New Crusading Guide Newspaper.
We hold the instructions of our client to formally complain to you about, and to request that you investigate its allegations of, violations of the fundamental human rights of children, abuse of power and corruption at the Osu Children’s Home and the Osu Remand Home, both in Accra.
Our client makes this complaint on its own behalf as a corporate citizen of Ghana with an enduring interest in the protection of children’s rights. Our client also makes the complaint on behalf of the scores of children in the two homes – children who are not in a position to file a complaint on their own behalf. It is our client’s instruction that the children in these homes constitute a captive population and/or detainees, and most of them are either illiterate or are simply incapable of filing a complaint as a result of mental incompetence and/or lack of awareness of their basic rights. Accordingly, this complaint is filed pursuant to Section 2(2) of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (Investigations Procedure) Regulations (2010), Constitutional Instrument No. 67.
A. Evidence of Violations
The evidentiary bases of our client’s allegations are derived from the results of a seven-month undercover investigation conducted by its ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, at the two homes for the care of children in distress or in conflict with the law. Some of the highlights of the results of the said investigation were captured in a 90-minute television documentary publicly aired on September 1, 2010. On behalf of our client, we hereby enclose for your kind attention and perusal a CD-Rom copy of the said documentary.
Osu Children’s Home
Our client specifically alleges the following violations by the under-listed respondents against children at the Osu Children’s Home: 1. Subjection of children to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, contrary to Article 28(3) of the Constitution of the Fourth Republic of Ghana (1992) and Section 13(1) of the Children’s Act (1998) (Act 560). This includes:
a. Undignified, abusive and discriminatory treatment of children with mental and physical disabilities, contrary to Article 15(1) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 10 of Act 560; and b. Subjection of some children to corporal punishment;
2. Physical, verbal and emotional abuse of some children;
3. Deprivation of food to some children as punishment;
4. Abuse of power contrary to Article 218(a) of the Constitution;
5. Deprivation of medical care to some sick children, leading to the death of one child;
6. Maintenance of inhuman and inhospitable living conditions that endanger the health and lives of inmates; and
7. Corruption, including the unlawful sharing and appropriation of food donations and other items meant for the upkeep of the children, contrary to Article 218(a) of the Constitution.
Osu Remand Home
Our client also alleges that the following human rights violations were perpetrated against children at the Boys’ Unit of the Osu Remand Home:
1. Physical abuse of inmates;
2. Solitary confinement of some children; and
3. Maintenance of inhuman and inhospitable living conditions that endanger the health and lives of inmates.
B. Respondents
The said homes are under the Department of Social Welfare – an agency of state under the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare. This complaint is made against the following specific persons as respondents:
1. The Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare; 2. Hon, E. T. Mensah, Minister, Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare; 3. The Department of Social Welfare 4. Mr. Stephen Adongo, Director, Department of Social Welfare; 5. Mrs. Sharon Abbey, Manageress, Osu Children’s Home; 6. Auntie Evelyn (full name unknown), Care Giver, Osu Children’s Home 7. Grace Ohene, Care Giver; Osu Children’s Home 8. Gladys Nartey; Care Giver, Osu Children’s Home 9. Florence Adams; Care Giver, Osu Children’s Home and 10. Mr. Akuamoah Boateng, 21-year old in-mate, Osu Children’s Home 11. Mr. Amankwah, Supervisor, Boys’ Unit, Osu Remand Home
C. Liability for Violations and Abuses
Evidently, responsibility for the violations outlined above and detailed on the CD-ROM varies among the above-named respondents as follows:
a. The Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, the Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, the Department of Social Welfare, and the Director of the Department of Social Welfare bear overall responsibility for policy development and implementation, as well as the resourcing of the homes for their safe and efficient care and maintenance, including the general duty to ensure the wellbeing of the inmates and staff. They were negligent in their duty to prevent the abuses and the existence of inhuman conditions at the homes. They jointly and severally bear vicarious liability for the impugned conduct and the maintenance of the inhuman conditions in the homes.
b. The Manageress of the Osu Children’s Home is responsible for the day-to-day running of the home, including supervision and monitoring of staff to ensure compliance with established standards of care, maintenance of a safe and congenial environment in the home, and provision of the basic necessities of life, including food, clothing and shelter in dignity and respect. She bears direct and vicarious liability for the violations.
c. Each member of staff – Grace Ohene, Gladys Nartey and Florence Adams – bears direct responsibility for the performance of their assigned duties and roles which includes, most fundamentally, the provision of care to the children in a manner that respects the rights of the children as human beings at all times and ensures that the best interests of the children remain paramount in all decisions and actions affecting them. They bear direct responsibility for the violations.
d. Mr. Akuamoah Boateng is a 21-year old man. He is an “overgrown inmate” who renders gratuitous assistance to the caregivers at the Osu Children’s Home in preparing the kids for school and supervising them generally. He physically and verbally abuses the kids at will. He is no longer a child, and must be sanctioned and removed from the home.
e. Mr. Amankwah personally subjected some of the boys at the Osu Remand Home to a regime of physical abuse and corporal punishment. He must be held personally liable for the human rights violations that occurred at the Unit.
D. Reliefs Sought
The following constitute the remedies our client seeks through the pursuit of this complaint:
1. An order compelling the respondents to cease and desist from the violations and abuses complained of, and to refrain from violating and abusing the rights of other children under their care;
2. An order for the discontinuation of any and all practices that infringe on the rights of children at the homes as described above;
3. An order to the appropriate authorities to sanction and remove from office the following persons for abusing or facilitating the abuse of the rights of children in the two homes:
a. Mr. Stephen Adongo, Director, Department of Social Welfare; b. Mrs. Sharon Abbey, Manageress, Osu Children’s Home; c. Mr. Amankwah, Supervisor, Boys’ Unit, Osu Remand Home; d. Ms. Auntie Evelyn, Care Giver, Osu Children’s Home; e. Ms. Grace Ohene, Care Giver; Osu Children’s Home; f. Ms. Gladys Nartey; Care Giver, Osu Children’s Home; g. Ms. Florence Adams; Care Giver, Osu Children’s Home; and h. Mr. Akuamoah Boateng, 21-year old in-mate, Osu Children’s Home
4. An order compelling the authorities at the Osu Children’s Home to account for all revenues and donations received over the past three years.
5. An order to the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare and the Department of Social Welfare to establish a rigorous regime of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the relevant constitutional provisions on children’s rights and the applicable provisions of the Act 560;
6. An order compelling the Director of the Department of Social Welfare to publish and file with CHRAJ annually a report on its operations with special reference to the observance of fundamental human rights in the homes, including measures taken to ensure respect for the rights of children with physical and/or mental disabilities or other special needs;
7. An order to the Department of Social Welfare to cause to be included in the training programme at the School of Social Welfare a comprehensive examinable course of instruction in such areas as: (a) Principles of Human Rights, Justice and Democracy in Places of Detention; (b) Implementing Human Rights Principles in Special Homes and Detention Centers, (c) Caring for Children with Special Needs; and (d) Challenges in Contemporary Social Work Practice in Ghana.
We firmly assure you, Sir, of our readiness to fully assist you to undertake, in respect of this complaint, the kind of thorough investigations for which the CHRAJ is well known.
Yours truly,
Prof. Kenneth Agyeman Attafuah Managing Solicitor

Source:The New Crusading Guide